Picture update

Life's been busy, but we're having fun in this new season...

lots of naps (for Chloe)
quick check up
Gravely Point with the Devries
play dates
Chloe meets her cousins-Sophia, Rachael, & Tyler
photo shoot with Tali (more to come)
1st new family pic at Abby's bday pty

learning time with gido
Noah and his cousins at Butler's Orchard

Noah in mommy's apron

The Devries

Over a year ago, we have had the PRIVELEGE of having the Devries move into our home. From renters to family, we can't imagine life without them. We joke about locking them into a 10 year lease, but at heart we are serious :) Danny and Dave have formed a fast friendship around competitive games including acquire, blokus, ping pong, and car racing to church. I would say Danny has seen what it means to work heartily for the Lord by watching Dave. Whether at home, work, or the LINK table, he's giving it 110%. They also both have short term memory loss which grieves their wives from time to time, yet they find it amusing. For me, I've learned much from Hannah. Armed with much grace, she is a constant reminder of where our source for strength comes from. I admire how she serves her family joyfully in all circumstances without complaining. By the way, you will never be able to tell by her appearance or attitude if she hasn't slept. The effects of a sleepless night is found on our level :) And speaking for Noah, he loves playing and laughing with Makenna. She's taught him the joys of friendship and being social, how to climb the coffee table, and how to fall and get up again. The two of them together help thier mommies get through the day regardless of how messy the house can get. Chloe and Kaelynn... they just eat and sleep for now, but we plan on them being buddies too. I could say more, but we love them and are so grateful for them sums it all up.

She's here!

"Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."
Psalm 100:3-5

Chloe arrived 2 weeks early on September 28, 2011. She was 7 lbs and 19 1/4 inches. We believe she was actually a little longer since she measured 20 inches at the dr's 3 days later :) The plan was to induce me on October 3rd, and although I was having many contractions, I didn't think I was going to go into labor on my own. I woke up at around 4:15 am with strong contaractions and she arrived at the hospital (thankfully) at 7:52 am. I think with the next kid I might just hang out at Shady Grove hospital once I hit 8 months. After delivering a 9 1/2 lb baby naturally, my biggest fear was not having an epidural. We got the hospital and I was 8cm dilated. The anesthesiologist was in the middle of a C-section, and my doctor was still driving in. I was so fearful as the nurse was telling me to prepare for a natural delivery. Danny and I prayed. I was trying to remind myself of God's faithfulness through Noah's delivery. His grace was so sufficient then and would not fail me this time. As I was trying to relax through contractions, my heart was at peace. Shortly after that, both the doctor and the anesthesiologist were in my room, and in no time was that epidural in. (Thank the Lord for modern day medicine! What a relief!) The rest of the delivery and recovery went so smooth with zero complications and we were able to go home the next day. We are so grateful to God for his kindness. He has been so near to us through it all. I was so aware of my dependence on the Lord after everything I went through with Noah, and I am so aware that I need him today just as much as I did then. Aside from sleepless nights, we are so in love with our baby girl. Noah gives her so many kisses and loves to help care for her.
Chloe, we are so happy you're part of our family! We talked about having a little Chloe when we were engaged, and I can't believe you're here. Our hearts are filled with love for you and we are delighted to be your parents. We look forward to you waking up for more than 10 minutes and watching you grow over the coming months and years. We love you!

"Daddy!"

I love looking at Noah's truck book with him. He is convinced that the man on the last page is "Daddy!" It makes me laugh every time....What do you think?

Fort Collins, CO

For Labor Day weekend we went to Colorado to visit Danny's cousin, Becky. It was such a good and relaxing time. We loved hanging out with the fam and playing many games of Blokus. Noah was in wonderland the whole weekend playing with the kiddos, the dogs, and big boy swords. We were also glad to be there on a Sunday when Cyrus was preaching. Well, as you can see in the picture, that will be our last vacation for a while...

20 mths & all boy

We are having so much with Noah these days. He's getting big so fast and we are discovering and loving his personality. I just wanted to blog some things I want to remember.

Noah,
We went to the Gaithersburg airpark today, and you loved watching the planes take off. Your senses are so sharp and your dad and I laugh when you hear or see a plane from galaxies away. You instantly throw your hands up and point to the sky at the sound of an engine. You love trucks too. We just had a 6 hour drive to and back from NC, and you whoo whoo'd at them all. We went with Tata and Gido, and they couldn't get enough of you. They hate saying goodbye to you.

Your favorite toys are the vacuum, popper, lawn mower, any ball, our car, and dada's shoes. Your favorite songs are the ones you like to do motions to- "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes", "If You're Happy and You Know It", and "This Little Light of Mine" (this one you like in Arabic too). However, you're favorite song is the one you wake up singing to and point at my Ipod for me to play. The song is "Christ is Risen." You only know 2 words of it right now, and you get SO excited befor the part plays. The words are "Oh da, " as the words to the song are "Oh death where is your sting? Oh Hell, Where is your Victory?, Oh Church..." You don't miss any of those "Oh's." You are starting to say more words, but we love when you poke us and say "mama" and "dada."

You're starting to help out by handing me the groceries to put away, putting your dishes in the sink, and wiping away your messes. You are starting to eat well with a spoon and a fork unless it's yogurt. You get too excited and use your hands. I can dip just about anything in yogurt an you'll eat it. You love to help out and get frustrated if you can't. Today you brought me your broken keyboard and pointed to where I keep the batteries for me to change them out. Unfortunately it really was broken, and you gasped when you saw it in the trash can. I hope to find you another one. You love music. You will only watch T.V if there is singing & motions involoved.

You know where Chloe is, and sometimes you think she's in your belly. You're going to be a great big brother. You're a good friend to your best buddy, Makenna, assuring her paci is always in her mouth. And you love to feed her :) There have been some conflicts between you two, but over all we've seen lots of growth and you now play so well together. We love you so much and will never be able to express the amount of joy you have brought into our lives.

you in dada's baseball jersey when he was 5

Makenna going in for a kiss from you

first bike ride

The Little Inn at Washington & Luray Caverns

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary early this year. We went somewhere in VA to the Little Inn at Washington. It was a delightful time as long as I didn't think about the tab after our 3 hour and 7 course meal at the Inn. Danny had to keep reminding me that we had 2 free night stays at the Marriot and that we would probably never do this again.

The atmosphere there and more importantly, the food was absolutely amazing. I giggled so much just from being there. The couple beside us ordered so much wine, and every time it came by, we heard the wine specialist give a 10 minute dissertation on each wine. We tried to record him, but were unsuccessful. Clearly, it wasn't this couples first time. I wonder what they were thinking as I snapped pictures of everything we ate :) (Yes I know...simple minds, simple pleasures). Our new camera has arrived and we wanted to play with it. Here are some pics of our favorite dishes, but I can't remember what exactly we ate. We also hit the Luray Caverns the following day.

Danny, Thanks again for an amazing time! I really enjoyed recounting all that the Lord has done and worked through in our lives the past 3 years. Hasn't He been so good? I really am so amazed at how perfectly you were designed for me in every detail! I am so happy being married to you as we walk through life together. Thank you for your desire to bless me through this trip when you could have planned a dinner at Panera to make me happy. Happy Anniversary hubster!

July Beach trip

I can't believe it's August already. I am so far behind in posting as our days and weekends have been so full. We spent 9 days at Bethany beach back in July and had a few days there with Mom-mom and Grandpa. As much as we love the beach, we were so pooped (literally as Noah had diarrhea the entire week) that we came home a day early to rest. It was such a great time and our over-stimulated child enjoyed every minute of it. One of our favorite moments was when we were at Rehobeth, and they had to stop the swing ride he was on to take down a crying kid. Noah wasn't too thrilled and started signing "more please" to the operator. We are proud parents of our little beach bum :)

Loved the planes that flew by! I plan on taking him to an airport this week.

Loved all the rides in Rehobeth...

but maybe would rather be at the beach

and a toy for Noah from dada's win in skee ball

Pottstown PA

Not my favorite place, but if you husband can play some amazing volleyball, it's a lot of fun. This past weekend Danny and his buddy Eric played in the annual Pottstown rumble. It was a long 2 days and A LOT of volleyball. If you play well the 1st day, you go on to the 2nd day. If you play well the 2nd day, you keep playing until you lose. Being the positive wife that I am, I thought we would be home early the 2nd day. I told Danny it was a win-win situation- If he wins, great! If not, we go see Noah! Well, after every win Danny came to me and said, "sorry we can't go home baby." Who would've thought that after playing only twice this year and competing against 75 teams, they would end up in the semi-finals finishing at 3rd place :) He is gifted in his athletic abilities, but I'm always more impressed at how he glorifies his Creator with it. I love his sportsmanship. I love how he uses sports to reach out to others, how he's joyful after every win or loss, how he encourages others, how he remains silent when the trash talk is audible, and how he transfers the glory to God through it all. I look forward to him training our kids, and I look forward to watching :)

And the Devries (love those guys) left us a warm welcome to come home to:

He couldn't have said it better...

Happy dada's day. We're missing you!

Chloe prep

Danny and I woke up from a nap while Noah was playing in our room. Who needs toys when you have a hairbrush and a sundress to drag. He played with the both for a good hour.

I like to think he's excited for a little sister. He loves to push strollers, especially pink ones his size.

And now for some manly pictures...

April/May Pics

post Butler's strawberry picking

one for me

one for gido
Easter
more Easter
St. Thomas (love the questionable prego state)
us at the world's most beautiful beach, Cinnamon Bay

and us with the world's cutest couple, Paul & Lauren :)

Camping pics to come!

life

I blog so my kids can look back one day and see some of our favorite adventures of our lives.
Kiddos- I hope you guys realize that with all the joys there have been times that have been not so joyful. Times of discouragement, testing of our faith, and just pure sanctification. Mom and Dad are sinners, (mom can be a very angry one), but the cross has not left us there. Our Savior has cleansed us of these sins and where sin has been present, grace has abounded! He has been faithful to help and uphold us. Because of the cross and the resurrection our hope has been secured and we have power to persevere and change our sinful hearts.

I love the series we've done at church on the resurrection and it's power. This song speaks great volume in my times of discouragement:

How do we know we’ve been forgiven?
How do we know that we’ve been made clean?
How do we know we’ll go to heaven?
How do we know we’ve been redeemed?

You have been raised, the tomb has been opened
Nothing can take away our hope in You
You have been raised, the work is completed
Hell and its powers have been defeated

Now we are free from condemnation
There is no judgment left for us to fear
We don’t have to wonder if we’re welcome
You are the One who’s brought us near

The price You paid for us
Has fully been accepted
Because of Your shed blood
We cannot be rejected

Chloe

We've been waiting for this day since we found out we were pregnant. Today we found out that our long awaited Chloe will be joining the family. Boy names have been challenging for us to pick out, but Chloe was both one of our favorite girl name since we've been engaged. We got to see her face, her long arms and legs, and her feet today. I love our little girl, and I look forward to embracing her this fall. I'm having a little hard time with the fact that there will be pink stuff in our home, so she might look like a tomboy for a while :) In the meantime I am trying to enjoy my days with Noah. He loves to play with momma ALL the time. Fortunately the weather has been wonderful, and we've had many long walks and park time together. I've given up on our camera as the batteries die after one click. Once we have accumulated more Best Buy giftcards, I will have my Mother's day/Bday/Anniversary/ Christmas gift. Now I'm off to sort through lots of pink :)